Somnath Temple
સોમનાથ મંદિર
A Shiva temple facing the Arabian Sea, counted first among India's twelve Jyotirlinga shrines. Repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, it took its present form in 1951.
Somnath Temple is considered the first of the twelve Shiva Jyotirlingas, and legend holds that the moon god worshipped Shiva here. From the 11th century onward the temple was plundered and burned many times and rebuilt repeatedly. The present structure, a stone temple in the Chalukya style, was driven forward by Sardar Patel after Indian independence and completed in 1951. Its spire, about 50 metres high, faces the sea, and the 'arrow pillar' in front marks that no land lies between this point and Antarctica. The temple is open approximately 06:00–21:30. Aarti ceremonies are held daily at 07:00, 12:00 and 19:00. Phones, cameras and leather items are not permitted inside. They can be left free of charge at the storage counter outside, and the security queue is often long.
Opening hours
Approx. 06:00–21:30
Nearby sights
- Jay Somnath Light and Sound Show
- Ahilyabai Holkar Somnath Temple
- Prabhas Patan Museum
- Somnath Beach
- Triveni Sangam
- Gita Mandir (Golok Dham)
- Bhalka Tirth
- Surya Mandir & Kamnath Mahadev Temple